Operated by around 400 members of the Miccosukee Tribe, the mid-range Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is a 302-room casino hotel that sits at the edge of the Everglades, just outside Miami. Built in 1995 and near the tribal village, the resort is popular with travelers looking for a well-positioned stopover en route to or from the airport, cruise port, or Everglades. All-you-can-eat buffets are available, however, food gets mixed reviews. Also note that some visitors are put off by the smoky lobby. Rooms are spacious and clean, with standard amenities like air-conditioning, safes, and Wi-Fi, but those wanting a room with a bit more design sense will need to upgrade to the higher tiers. Additional features include an indoor pool, game rooms for kids and teens, and a dated fitness center, as well as bingo and various gaming machines. Guests can join the Miccosukee One rewards program for extra perks (based on casino play) during their stay, like a discount off of rooms or free valet service. Those wanting a more upscale casino experience with more amenities should look into the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, which offers a wide variety of restaurant and a great outdoor pool.

The 527-room Hilton Miami Downtown is an upper-middle-range property with a contemporary feel and great location for cruise-goers. All rooms have comfy Hilton Serenity beds, mini-fridges, and views from floor-to-ceiling windows; some suites have kitchenettes. Business guests and groups are drawn to the hotel's extensive meeting and event spaces, as well as in-room work desks and charging outlets. Expect a smaller-than-expected pool, American cuisine on the menu at both restaurants, valet and self-parking options, and a 24-hour gym. Unfortunately, there's no spa here, though Starbucks and Thursday happy hours in the lobby lounge bar are big hits. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from South Beach, but there's little of interest within walking distance. For a business-friendly chain hotel in a more walkable location, the JW Marriott Marquis Downtown is a good (though more expensive) option.

The 313-room JW Marriott Marquis is reminiscent of a luxury hotel in Vegas: Everything is big, from the light fixtures to the bathrooms, and the array of amenities is so extensive guests might not have to leave the premises -- there are three restaurants, a pool, a basketball court, a virtual bowling alley, a 3D theater room, a golf school, and a huge fitness center. A good choice for business travelers, the hotel is one of the most modern hotels in Downtown Miami, and all rooms come equipped with desktop computers and giant 52-inch flat-screen TVs. For even more luxurious digs, you may consider Hotel Beaux Arts, Marriott's boutique hotel on the top floors of the building.

Stunning views are the name of the game at Sonesta Coconut Grove Miami, a great option in the heart of Coconut Grove: its rooftop pool, restaurant and bar -- even its fitness center -- all offer incredible panoramas of Miami and Biscayne Bay. The hotel's 196 rooms all come with 42-inch flat-screen HDTVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi, while Deluxe Rooms and Suites add features like kitchenettes, balconies, and bay views. All of the rooms at the nearby Mutiny Hotel come with full kitchens, but their in-room Wi-Fi costs a pesky extra fee.

Taking up 17 floors of a 36-story skyscraper downtown, this Hilton luxury offshoot has some swanky touches -- a rooftop pool, a top-notch spa and gym, 500-thread-count linens, and spacious standard rooms. The Conrad also has a great restaurant and The Bar at LvL 25 has sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and is a popular spot for happy hour. It should be noted that the hotel is geared toward business travelers so families wanting to spend time on the beach should look elsewhere. For a similar stay, compare rates with the neighboring JW Marriott.

With its swish and hip modern interiors, coupled with a convenient Financial District location attached to the Brickell City Centre complex, the upscale EAST, Miami is a popular pick for business and leisure travelers alike. An attractive outdoor pool area is one of the highlights here, while the dining options, including a Uruguayan restaurant specializing in grilled meats and a lush rooftop garden bar are equally trendy -- but food and drinks are expensive apart from the free breakfast. The property also offers a large and modern fitness center, plus meeting/event space. The 352 stylish rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies with sweeping views, plus they're chockfull of amenities. The Standard Miami is another hip option that's closer to South Beach and offers spa facilities, but note that kids aren't allowed here.

This huge 641-room downtown tower has been regularly renovated -- the lobby was redone in 2008, and guestrooms were refreshed in 2012. With its attentive (though somewhat overwhelmed) service, decent pool and reasonable gym and spa, it consistently attracts a busy crowd of business travelers and families.

The three-pearl, 189-room Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West is about a 15-minute drive to Miami International Airport, making it a practical choice for travelers catching early-morning flights. Passing airplanes can get loud outside the hotel and in the pool area, but thanks to soundproofing, it's not a problem indoors. The hotel has a restaurant, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center and meeting rooms, but there are several comparable hotels near the airport, and travelers might want to check out the Hyatt Place Miami Airport, which offers a free breakfast.

What the budget Leamington Hotel has going for it -- aside from rock-bottom prices -- is its downtown location close to the Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami, a major cruise ship port. The 105-room hotel itself is barebones basic, and could use a refresh. Its only common area is a breakfast room in the lobby, where a continental breakfast of coffee and various breads is served for free. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, AC, flat-screen TVs in some, and while they have bright accent walls, they show some wear and tear, and guests have complained about cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms. The nearby River Park Hotel & Suites Downtown is similarly priced and offers a little more in the way of decor, but it's farther from the cruise port and doesn't have in-room Wi-Fi.

The two-pearl Fairfield Inn & Suites Miami Airport South is an ideal hotel for those needing easy access to the Miami International Airport. The hotel and its 96 rooms have a tropical theme, and all rooms come with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges; suites also have microwaves and couches. Attractive features include a large outdoor hot tub, a fitness center, a business center and free breakfast -- though this is served on paper plates. And while there's on-site parking, it costs an additional fee. Travelers looking for a similar hotel with free parking could consider the Hampton Inn Miami Dadeland.